(from Prodrive Press
Release) Prodrive has unveiled P2, its unique two-seater
sports car, which has gone from concept to reality in just nine
months.

P2 is a fully working car featuring Prodrive’s latest technology and
which has been entirely designed, engineered and built by the
motorsport and automotive specialist at its operations at Banbury
and Warwick in the UK.

P2 was the idea of Prodrive chairman and chief executive, David
Richards, who wanted to create something that used the skills of
every part of the business and demonstrated the company’s
capabilities.

He said: “What we created is P2, a unique two-seater sports car,
which has gone from concept to reality in just nine months and which
is the perfect manifestation of what happens when our inspirational
ideas combine with our innovative approach.”

Prodrive’s philosophy behind the design of the car was practical
performance. Weighing just 1100 kg and with a power to weight ratio
of more than 350 bhp/tonne, P2 is expected to reach 100 kph from
standstill in under four seconds and carry on to 280 kph. Yet,
despite the focus on weight reduction, P2 has all the comforts of
any modern car, with a six speaker stereo system, power assisted
steering and electric windows.

The two-litre flat-four engine is fitted with Prodrive’s ALS . This
has been derived from the same system currently used on the Prodrive-designed
Subaru World Rally Car, but modified for use on the road. ALS can
keep the turbo on boost at low engine speeds, giving the car
immediate throttle response and improved performance by using more
of the engine’s 575 Nm of torque throughout the rev range.

To use this power more effectively, Prodrive’s ATD system is fitted
to P2’s drivetrain. It uses an active centre and active rear
differential to control the torque split between the front and rear
of the car and across the rear axle to optimise the car’s handling
characteristics. For example, should the car begin to understeer
while on power, then more torque will be pushed to the rear wheels,
while if it began to oversteer then drive is sent to the front of
the car, balancing it in all situations.

P2’s exterior and interior styling were created by Peter Stevens,
who has worked with Prodrive on numerous road car and motorsport
projects. His team produced a full scale clay model of the car to
develop the styling and from this P2’s composite body panels were
formed.

The P2 chassis was originally based on a Subaru R1 (a four seat mini
car), which was completely reengineered to give P2 its coupe styling
and to accommodate the new engine and drivetrain.

Every part of Prodrive has been involved in the development of P2
from its motorsport and automotive technology divisions. Prodrive’s
chassis, engine and drivetrain and electronics departments worked
with its in-house manufacturing operation to produce the specialist
parts and electronic systems. The company also called on the skills
of a number of its partners to provide additional complementary
technical expertise and specialist components, such as wheels,
brakes and lighting.

While P2 is a fully working car, Prodrive itself currently has no
plans to put it into volume production. However, should a vehicle
manufacturer approach the company to do so, it is expected that it
would have a retail price of approximately £40,000.